Section 122
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 122 is an excerpt from an epistle written by Joseph Smith in March 1839 while he was imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Missouri, during a period of intense persecution for the Latter-day Saints. The text functions as a divine reassurance and a theodicy of personal suffering. It begins with a prophecy regarding Smith's legacy, asserting that while 'fools' and 'hell' will rage against him, the 'pure in heart' will perpetually seek counsel, authority, and blessings from his hand. The text then enumerates a harrowing list of potential and actual tribulations—including betrayal, mob violence, separation from family, and the threat of death—culminating in the divine declaration that 'all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.' To contextualize this suffering, the text invokes a Christological comparison, reminding Smith that 'The Son of Man hath descended below them all,' and asking rhetorically if Smith is greater than Christ. The section concludes with a mandate to endure ('hold on thy way'), a promise that his priesthood authority will remain intact, and an assurance of God's sovereign protection against the bounds of his enemies.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The recipient of the revelation, elevated in the text as a global figure whose name will be inquired after, from whom the pure in heart will seek blessings and authority, and who is called to endure extreme suffering.
- The Son of Man (Jesus Christ): Referenced as the ultimate standard of suffering, having 'descended below them all,' serving as a theological anchor to give meaning to human tribulation.
- God: The speaker of the text, who promises to stand by Joseph Smith forever, sets the bounds of his enemies, and guarantees his priesthood.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Prophetic Mediation and Veneration
Assertion
The pure, wise, and noble will perpetually seek counsel, authority, and blessings directly from the hand of Joseph Smith.
Evidence from Text
While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand. (D&C 122:2)
Evangelical Comparison
In D&C 122:2, Joseph Smith is elevated to a position of perpetual mediation. The text asserts that the 'pure in heart' will seek 'authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.' This establishes a paradigm where spiritual legitimacy and divine favor are inextricably linked to submission to Smith's prophetic office. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity adheres to Solus Christus (Christ alone) and the Universal Priesthood of all believers. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, 'For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' Ephesians 1:3 declares that God has already blessed believers 'in Christ with every spiritual blessing.' Evangelicals reject the necessity of seeking authority or blessings from any post-biblical human figure, viewing such claims as an infringement on Christ's exclusive mediatorial role.
Theodicy of Experience
Assertion
Severe suffering, persecution, and tribulation are designed by God to give the believer experience and ultimately serve for their good.
Evidence from Text
know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. (D&C 122:7)
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 122:7 offers a profound theodicy: the horrific sufferings described in verses 5-6 are not signs of divine abandonment, but are purposeful, designed to 'give thee experience' and 'be for thy good.' This resonates strongly with the Evangelical understanding of Romans 8:28 and James 1:2-4, where trials produce steadfastness. However, within the broader context of Mormon theology, 'experience' carries a heavier ontological weight; it is often viewed as a necessary acquisition for human progression toward godhood (exaltation). While the Evangelical views suffering as a tool for sanctification and reliance on grace, the Mormon framework often views it as a crucible for proving one's worthiness and gaining the experiential knowledge required for eternal progression.
Endurance of Exclusive Priesthood
Assertion
Joseph Smith is promised that his specific priesthood authority will remain with him despite intense opposition.
Evidence from Text
Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee (D&C 122:9)
Evangelical Comparison
Verse 9 promises Smith, 'the priesthood shall remain with thee.' In Mormon theology, 'priesthood' refers to the exclusive, restored power and authority to act in God's name, which is necessary for administering saving ordinances. This text reinforces Smith's claim to possess and retain this exclusive authority. Evangelical Christianity fundamentally rejects this concept based on the New Testament doctrine of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). Evangelicals believe that the veil was torn at Christ's crucifixion, granting all believers direct access to God without the need for a mediating human priesthood. Furthermore, the eternal Melchizedek priesthood is held exclusively and permanently by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:23-24), making any human claim to such mediating priesthood authority unbiblical.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text elevates Joseph Smith to a necessary mediator of authority and blessings, and establishes a human-held exclusive priesthood, both of which contradict the sufficiency of Christ.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The fundamental theological gap in D&C 122 lies in its Christology and Ecclesiology, specifically regarding mediation and authority. While the text beautifully articulates the sovereignty of God in suffering, it inextricably links divine favor to the person and office of Joseph Smith. Verse 2 asserts that the 'pure in heart' will seek 'authority, and blessings constantly from under thy [Smith's] hand.' This violates the Evangelical pillar of Solus Christus. In biblical theology, Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to tear the temple veil, granting all believers direct access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). There is no longer a need for a human high priest or prophet to dispense blessings or authority. Furthermore, the promise in verse 9 that 'the priesthood shall remain with thee' reinforces the Mormon doctrine of exclusive, restored priesthood authority. Evangelicalism holds to the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), teaching that all who are in Christ are made priests unto God. The assertion that a specific, exclusive priesthood must be maintained by a human leader contradicts the biblical teaching that Jesus Christ holds the eternal priesthood permanently and exclusively (Hebrews 7:24), rendering any human claim to such mediating authority obsolete and unbiblical.
For All Ages
Imagine you need water to live, and Jesus is a giant, endless waterfall that anyone can drink from directly. That is what Evangelical Christians believe—we go straight to Jesus for everything we need. But this text says that if you are truly good and wise, you will go to Joseph Smith with a cup, and he will scoop the water out of the waterfall and hand it to you. It makes Joseph Smith a necessary middleman to get God's blessings and authority. Christians believe the Bible teaches we don't need a middleman anymore because Jesus already opened the way for everyone to come directly to God.
Friction Points
Solus Christus
Elevates Joseph Smith as a dispenser of authority and blessings to the pure in heart, infringing on Christ's role as sole mediator.
Sola Scriptura
Presents itself as direct, infallible revelation from God, adding to the closed canon of Scripture.
Universal Priesthood
Claims an exclusive priesthood authority that remains with Joseph Smith, denying the priesthood of all believers.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
An exclusive divine authority restored to Joseph Smith, necessary to act in God's name and administer blessings.
In Evangelicalism
The status of all true believers in Christ, who have direct access to God and are called to offer spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:9).
"Son of Man"
In This Text
A title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His condescension and suffering below all things.
In Evangelicalism
A messianic title used by Jesus (from Daniel 7) emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority to judge and rule.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Not explicitly defined in this specific excerpt, though 'holding on thy way' implies enduring to the end to secure eternal standing.
How Attained: By enduring tribulation, holding on one's way, and remaining aligned with the prophet's authority.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is provided by God's direct promise that 'thy days are known' and 'God shall be with you forever and ever' (v. 9).
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text emphasizes human endurance ('hold on thy way') and alignment with human authority ('seek counsel... from thy hand') rather than resting in the finished work of Christ by faith alone. While it offers comfort, the comfort is contingent on enduring the trial.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. (v. 7)
- Hold on thy way (v. 9)
- Fear not what man can do (v. 9)
Implicit Obligations
- Adherents must align themselves with Joseph Smith to be considered 'pure in heart', 'wise', 'noble', and 'virtuous' (v. 2).
- Adherents must seek counsel, authority, and blessings from Joseph Smith's hand (v. 2).
- Adherents must endure severe persecution and tribulation without abandoning their faith or turning traitor (v. 3, 5-7).
Ritual Requirements
- Implicit requirement to operate under the 'priesthood' authority that remains with Joseph Smith (v. 9).
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- D&C 122:2 says the pure in heart will seek blessings and authority from Joseph Smith's hand. How do you balance that with 1 Timothy 2:5, which says there is only one mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ?
- Verse 8 talks beautifully about how the Son of Man descended below all things. How does knowing that Jesus suffered completely change how you view your own standing before God?
- When verse 9 commands you to 'hold on thy way,' do you ever feel the heavy burden of having to endure perfectly? How does that compare to Jesus's promise in Matthew 11:28 to give rest to the heavy laden?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Son of Man descending below all things
This perfectly bridges to the biblical doctrine of Christ's incarnation and sympathetic high priesthood. Because Jesus suffered completely, He is the perfect and *only* mediator we need. We can pivot from Joseph Smith's suffering to Christ's all-sufficient suffering.
Suffering for our good
This connects to the biblical truth that God is sovereign over our pain. However, in the Gospel, this good is not about gaining 'experience' to become a god, but about being conformed to the image of Christ.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The command to 'hold on thy way' in the face of extreme tribulation places a heavy burden on the believer to endure faithfully to prove their worthiness. If a believer struggles, doubts, or fails under pressure, they may feel they are failing the standard set by Smith and are not 'pure in heart.'
By stating that the 'pure in heart' will constantly seek counsel from Joseph Smith, the text binds a believer's spiritual purity to their loyalty to Smith. This creates immense cognitive dissonance and spiritual anxiety if the believer discovers historical issues regarding Smith's life, as questioning the prophet is equated with spiritual impurity or being a 'traitor.'